Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-09-11
a1breIins Resister
A HARD BARGAIN.
TCONCLUDED. j

All n temperate courses. dad; berry
bad; dam bad. What you say when you
die. Ell? Ho! hsn'
The creature seemed always with one
during this time. If opened my eyes i
had the feeling that he was lowering
about INV bed. If it was dark thought
Tsaw his ewes glaring at me from some
corner. III was asleep he would waken
M, With his s'Cluek." What he did in my
cottage l never knew. The room was NIL
ed with the visions which passed through
nv brain, succeeding each other again ana
again like the acts OF play repeated lnees-
sanity. / saw the Octagonal room with
the old gentleman eating and drinking. l
saw myself at richmond. saw myself
before the MAGISTRATES; and looked on as
an outsider, as a spectator of tragedy
which would end in death and horror.
IL WAS two days before the period al
lotted TO me by my master, at : o'clock IN
the evening, as was sitting in my lonely
cottage expeetant of the usual drunken
bout when / felt a curious agitation with
in me an internal struggle, as if Though
all nv veins a tempestuOus wave was surg
ing and rushing. lay down.
This is some new deYiltry OF the old
man. " faid to myself. Let him DO his
worst; at least, musttry 70 bear 1t with
resignation" Il begao to speculate on
NV inevitable and approaching end, and to
wonder curiously what proportion OF the
sin of all this drunkenness would be laid
10 my change.
To my astonishment nothing more fol-
lowed. The tumult of my system gradu-
all subsidized and l fell asleep.
In the morning swOke late, and missed
the usual headache l had therefore,
WAS surprised 10 find, actually not been
drunk the night before. rose with my
customary depression, and was astonlsned
to discover that my nerves were steadier
and spirits higher than had known Tor
long time. .,
/ mechanically went to the cupboard
and pulled out my cold mutton and pota-
toes. Who can picture my Joy when
found that could taste the meat again,
and that it was nasty? I hardly believed
my senses; in fact / had lost them for so
long that il was difficult to understand
that they had come back 10 me. l tried
the potatoes. Heavens, what horrible
thing to q we'll regulated palate IL cold
boiled potato!
At first, as | said, could not believe
that had recovered my taste; then, as the
truth forced itself upon me, and found
that could not only ta"te, but was act
ually hungry, Jumped and danced and
was beside myself with joy. Think Of a
convict suddenly released and declared
CuiltleSs Of the charges brought against
him. Think Of q prisoner on the very lad
der ofthe gallOws tree, with the rope round
his neck, reprieged and pardOned. Think
of one doomed to death by his physician
receiving the assurance that it WAS all q
mistake, and that he would gSther up long
wears Of life as in q sheaf And think that
such ioy as these would feel, l felt-and
more,
I went 10 the nearest coffee shop and or
dered bacon, eggs and tea, offering short
grace with every plate as it came And
then, because felt sure that my old tor
mentor must be dead, repaired to my
lawyers and saw the clerk.
''Ah," he slid, 1.-THE poor old mans gone
al last Went out like the snuff Of q can
die. His illness was only twenty-four
hours. Well, he's gone to heaven, II ever
man did
''What did he die of-tOO much eating
and drinking
''Mr. Lucraft, - said the clerk severely,
''this is not the tone for you to adopt to-
ward that distinguished man, your oene-
factor. He di d, Sir-being man OF
moral. temperate, and even abstemious
life, though of full habit-Of apOplexy. "
'iOhr / said, careless what the clerk
said, but glad to be quite sure that the
diabOlical old villain was really dead. l
suppose that never was such joy over the
repantanee of any sinner as mine over the
death Of that numbering glutton, for
whom no words Of hatred were too strog.
81 think you've got 10 see our senior
partner" said the clerk. Step this way.
He led me to a room where ] found a
grave and elderly gentleman sitting at a
table. Mr.. Lucraft?" be said. Il was
expecting YOU. | saw your late patrons
negro this morning, He told ME that you
would cal"
Istarted, but said nothing.
Al have q communication to make to
YOU on the part of our departed friend,
Mr.. Ebenezer Grumbelow. II is dated
few weeks since. and is to the effect that
sum of money which hold was to be
placed in your hands IN case of his death.
MS, IL appears NC adtlSip"'Sui AN' SO'tAN
reason or other.
'Ebenezer GrumbelOw." That was the
name which had 80 long escaped my men,
ory-"Ehenezar GTumbelOw.'
said nothing, but stared with all my
eyes.
''NIy poor friend, ;" the lawyer went on,
latter remarking that unless you change
your unfortunate habits you will come to
no good, gave me this money himself
here is the check-SO that it will not ap-
pear in his will and last testament.
took it in silence.
We'll, sir''-he looked at me in some
surprise-'haye you no observation to
make, or remark to offer, on this gensr-
osity?"
'fNone," | said
al do not know" he continued; 81 do
not kuOw-your signature here, If you
pleasa-what reason Mr.. GrumbelOw had
in taking you up, OF what claim you pos
sessed upon his consideration; but think,
sir, do think, that some expression, some
sense of regret is due"
buttoned up my check in my pocket.
''Mr. GrumbeioB was q philanthropist,
/ believe, sir?"
''He was. As 4 philanthropist, as q
supporter Of charities, rs a public doner
ofgreat amounts. Mr.. GrumbelOw's name
stands in the front. So much we all
know"
"a religious man, tOO?'
Surely, surely; one OF our most deeply
religious men. A man who was not
ashamed of his sanity profession"
"Cluek-cluckw
IL was the familiar face of Boule-de-
nsige ut the door.
''YO1 know, suppose, said the law
yer, "Mr. GrumbelOw's body servant, u
truly Christian pegro?"
''Was there" asked, ANY clause in
Mr.. Grumbelow's letter-any conditions
attached to this gift?"
''None whatever. 1t is free gift. Stay,
there is postscript which / ought to have
read to you. You will perhaps understand
il. In it Mr.. Grumbelow says that as to
"a sarvicss rendered by him 10 YOU, and